Free Local TV With an Antenna: Trim the Cable Bill Before You Replace It
Before you build a side income to cover a bill, it makes sense to ask whether you can shrink that bill first. For many households, the TV part of the monthly bill is a good place to look. If most of what you watch is local news, weather, sports and network shows, a simple antenna may bring those in for free. Whether this could help cover part of your bill depends on what you pay now, so look at your own statement.
What an antenna does
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) explains that you can watch over-the-air digital TV with an antenna and a digital-capable TV, or an older TV with a converter box. You do not have to subscribe to cable or satellite for this. A pay-TV subscription is one way to watch, not the only way. Today all full-power U.S. TV stations broadcast in digital.
An antenna will not bring in cable-only channels. It brings in the stations broadcast in your area, so what you get depends on where you live.
Picking and placing an antenna
The FCC’s guide says indoor antennas work fine when signals are strong, while an outdoor rooftop antenna is suggested when signals are moderate or weak. Buildings, trees and hills can all get in the way. Moving an antenna a few inches, or higher or lower, can make a difference.
You do not need an antenna labeled “HD” or “digital.” The FCC warns that some antennas sold as “HDTV antennas” may not do as well on channels 7 to 13 as the label suggests. A good antenna should pick up both UHF and VHF channels.
Scan for channels
After you connect the antenna, use your TV’s menu to run a channel scan. It may be called “scan,” “auto-tune” or “channel search,” and it is usually under “Menu” or “Setup.” Your TV’s manual or the maker’s help line can walk you through it. The FCC also says to rescan from time to time, because stations can change channels or go off the air, and new ones can appear.
Before you cancel anything
- Look at your statement to see what the TV part actually costs. Many bills bundle TV, internet and equipment fees.
- Ask your provider whether dropping TV changes the price of your internet. Some bundles do. Write down what they say, including the date.
- Ask about returning equipment, and whether any contract or fee applies.
Try the antenna for a few weeks before you cancel, so you know you like the channels. If you also use streaming, our guide to rotating streaming services may help trim that bill too.
Where this fits in Replace a Bill
Trimming a bill first means less side income is needed to cover it. Write down the new, lower amount and make that your goal.
More on Replace a Bill
- Rotate Your Streaming Services: Trim the Bill Before You Replace It
- Free Streaming With Your Library Card: Trim Your Bill Before You Replace It
- Trimming Your Home Internet Bill Before You Replace It
